Coffee & Donuts - We will have coffee & donuts in the downstairs Social Hall following the 8am & 10am Masses this morning.  All are welcome to join us.  Access the side door on Buttonwood.

Benediction Following Mass - Immediately following the 10am Mass this morning we will have Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.

Bishop Gainer Listening Session - Bishop Gainer will be hosting Listening Sessions in January and February throughout the Diocese.  He invites all Mater Dei members with questions or concerns regarding the Grand Jury Report, the Diocese’s response to abuse and the path forward to attend one of these sessions.  There is a session at St Catherine Laboure Parish on Derry Street on Thursday, January 10 at 7pm.  Other dates and locations are posted on the bulleting board in the back of church.

Lenten Mission—Save Date - During the first week of Lent, Father Joseph Tuscan OFM will come to give a mission.  The dates are from March 10-13.

Mass Attendance Increase - In 2014 Sunday Mass attendance averaged 220.  Since then we have grown by an average of 12% per year.  Sunday Mass attendance now averages 376.  Some have asked about adding a third Sunday Mass at Mater Dei.  As we continue to grow this will be necessary within the next one to three years.  At that time your input will be requested via a survey to determine the most accommodating Mass schedule.

Youth Group Meeting - On next Youth Group will be Jeopardy Night on Saturday, January 19, 2019 from 6:00pm - 9:00pm.  Competition will be followed by a talk by Fr. Eichman and the Rosary. No experience needed! Please bring a snack and a friend! The Youth Group is open to young people ages 13 through high school. For more information and to RSVP contact us at youthgroup@materdeipa.com

Youth Group Special Event - On February 2, 2019 (Candlemas) the Youth Group will meet at St. Lawrence for 9:00 am Mass and then travel to the Women's Care Center to learn about their pro-life work and help with a small service project. For more information and to RSVP contact us at youthgroup@materdeipa.com

Parish Epiphany Party - Our Epiphany Party will be on Monday, January 7 from 5:30pm—8:30pm.  The evening will include Sung Vespers, dinner, a Christmas play and King Cake.  A signup sheet for  attendance and volunteers is in the back of church today.

Epiphany Water Blessing - Epiphany water is available in the Holy Water canister beside the Baptistry gate and in the container near the St. Joseph’s altar.  Additional Epiphany water is in reserve, so do not hesitate to take a large quantity.

Blessing of Epiphany Chalk - Chalk is traditionally blessed on Epiphany for the faithful to take home and use to bless their homes.  The top of the door frames entering the house are marked with “20 + C + M + B + 19”.  The letters “C” “M” and “B” are the initials of the three kings, Casper, Melchior and Balthazar, who arrived at Bethlehem to worship the baby Jesus on Epiphany.  The crosses are placed between the letters and the numbers to remind us of the suffering that Jesus was to undergo for us.  Finally, the “20” and “19” are for the 2019 years since the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  Traditionally, the marking is left on the door frame until the next year when it is replaced by another year’s blessing. Chalk from previous years can be reused.  New chalk blessed on the feast of the Epiphany is also available in the back of the Church.

Christmas Break for Catechism Classes - There will be no catechism classes held on December  30 or January 6.  Classes resume on January 13.

Registration at Mater Dei - The Chaplain and Assistant Chaplain have the special grace to guide those who are registered parishioners and are hence assigned to their care.  The Mass offered for the people every Sunday, Pro Populo, is offered for those who are registered members.  Anyone seeking the Sacraments of Baptism, 1st Communion, Confirmation and Matrimony here must be registered and active parishioners for 6 months.  Registration forms are available in the back of church or on our website.

2017 IRS Tax Letter - If you would like a 2017 tax letter please contact the office this week either via email or phone.